Artisans at the Harbor, ArtsFalmouth’s weekly summer art market, takes place Thursday, July 23, from 11 AM to 4 PM on the Lin Whitehead stage at Falmouth Marine Park, 180 Scranton Avenue.
In case of rain on Thursday, the market will be held on Friday, weather permitting. Artisans at the Harbor continues every week through August 27.
Jewelry artist Judy Lacava and ceramic artist Anne Oberteuffer, both members of the Artisans at the Harbor organizing committee, are two of the many artisans who can be found at the market every week.
Judy Lacava, owner of Cape Cod Octopus’s Garden, sells jewelry made of sea glass that she collects from beaches all over the Cape.
Her signature piece is a “mermaid’s purse,” which she makes by arranging small pieces of sea glass an open wire “basket” that she weaves around them. The result is a delicate-looking package in of colorful treasures on a sterling silver chain, a purse any mermaid would be happy to have.
Lacava comes from a family of artists and has always been creative, including crocheting and working with beads. As a volunteer for a teen organization, she made beaded bookmarks, using both letter beads and pretty beads, for the teens to sell to raise money.
“About 15 years ago, I saw a piece of sea glass that someone had woven silver around at a craft show. They wanted $250 for it, so I said, ‘I’m going to learn to do that!’” And she did, finding information online and taking a course. From that basic knowledge, she developed her own style and techniques.
“When I am walking along the beach, looking for sea glass, I think of new designs to make,” she said. “ When I get home, I make drawings and figure out how to make it. That’s the challenging part, but one of the best parts of the process.”
Lacava offers an array of sea glass and silver necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, plus sailboat earrings of cultured sea glass triangles and “bubble gum” necklaces for children featuring big round, round colorful beads and cartoon characters.
She enjoys selling her jewelry at Artisans by the Harbor. “I like being outside and talking to people,” she said. “It’s a very friendly place to be.
Anne Oberteuffer, of mugs & more by Annie, has only been making pottery for about six years, but has always enjoyed arts and crafts, including drawing, sewing, knitting, and making things. She also comes from a family of artists; her father painted the mural in the main Falmouth Post Office.
“About 30 years ago, I found a ceramic folk art style house façade at a craft fair. It was made by an eight-year-old boy. I loved it, bought it, and still have it on display in my house. It was what inspired me to work in clay myself and to work in the folk art style.”
It wasn’t until a few years ago when she started taking regular classes at the Falmouth Art Center that she became serious about creating in clay.
“I love it,” she said. “There is so much you can do with clay. You can draw and paint on pottery, create different effects with glazes—there are so many combinations and colors, and there are always new techniques to learn. I get very absorbed by the process, really getting into the zone.
“I started with hand-building,” she said, and began working on the wheel about a year and a half ago. “It was very difficult at first, but I finally got the knack of it, and I am really enjoying it.”
Anne makes mugs, decorative items, small vases, sponge holders, and more. She currently has a line of small white rabbits with pink ears and noses that she hand builds, as well as mugs with silhouettes of cats on them.
An avid gardener, Anne decorates her booth with fresh-cut flowers from her garden.
Back in Time, a five-member oldies cover band, will perform from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. The band plays music designed for singing along, dancing, and having fun, including songs by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jimmy Buffett, Motown artists, and more. Band members are Andy Hamilton, Steve Cortis, Manny Rosado, Dave Margaretos, and Curt Bakal.
Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets to enjoy the concert, which is free and open to all.
For more information, visit artisansattheharbor.com or artsfalmouth.org.
Notes on The Arts 